Singer Ne-Yo revealed to Britain’s Sunday Mirror that he recently had to turn down the role of Martin Luther King because it would have required him to gain 30 pounds.

“They wanted to start shooting at the time my album R.E.D. comes out and wanted me to gain 30 pounds, so I couldn’t do it,” Ne-Yo admitted. “I’m kicking myself but acting can’t take the place of my music. Plus, I’ve been killing myself in the gym for months preparing for this album because I wanted a complete makeover.”

Ne-Yo’s upcoming album R.E.D. is set to drop in September. Do you think Ne-Yo would have done the role of MLK justice?